Rafi..the immortal voice, unforgettable

Date: 12 Jul 2003 07:22:52 -0700
Newsgroups: rec.music.indian.misc
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Read on:
http://www.mouthshut.com/readreview/8629-1.html
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In a country so diverse and varied as India, Hindi film music has
played a very important role. It has been ironically, the glue to bind
us together, the only thing of common interest from Kashmir to
Kanyakumari. When you think of Hindi film music, you can't but think
of Mohd Rafi. The versatile singer with a golden voice that's just
incomparable. As Naushad rightly remarked " many singers will come and
go, but there can never be a Mohd Rafi again!". Rafi is an Icon, a
symbol of the golden era. His voice embodied the regal bearing of
Dilip Kumar, Flamboyance of DevAnand, Masti of Shammi Kapoor,
Romanticism of Rajendra Kumar, Mischiefs of Jeetendra….he had
different style of singing for each star and his voice suited every
actor.
Many songs have been recorded in 2 versions, one by Rafi, other by
Lata. Rafi's version has always been superior. Lata has been fond
wanting in upper scale, the taar saptak, whereas Rafi used to glide
over all the scales with such an ease and poise. To drive home the
point, some examples;
1. Tum mujhe yoon bhula na paoge
2. Dil jo na keh saka
3. Ehsaan tera hoga mujh par
4. Jab pyar kisi se hota hai; Title song of this old film(62)
Listen to the versions again and draw your own conclusions. Rafi sang
classical, ghazals, sad songs, happy songs, naughty and romantic
songs, all with equal ease. His songs are immortal and unforgettable.
While there have been umpteen number of albums & compilations of
Rafi's hits, this one is the best I have ever come across. For a die
hard Rafi fan, I have rarely left any song or album unheard.
The compilation includes;
1. Main zindagi ka saath; Dev in Hum Dono.
2. Madhu ban mein raadhika; A classical masterpiece in Darbari kanada
composed by Naushad for Kohinoor, still remains the benchmark
pre-qualification for any singer in any contest.
3. Khoya khoya chaand; You can see Dev Anand prancing around!
4. Chaudhvin ka chand ho: the ultimate romance.
5. Raat bhar ka hai mehmaan andhera; This OP Nayyar song inspired
Shanker Jaikishen to compose " Dil ek mandir hai" title song though SJ
bitterly hated OPN. This beautiful composition with excellent poetry
of Sahir ihas been sung so soothingly and soulfully by Rafi, it
uplifts the sagging spirits of any depressed person.
6. Zindgi bhar nahi bhoolegi; An immortal classic of Roshan.
7. Dekhi jamane ki yaari: The utter desperation,frustration and agony
of the betrayed central character of Pyaasa. Rafi has done excellent
justice to capture the spirit and letter of Kaifi Azmi's poetry and is
one of the greatest compositions of Burman da.
I will desist from describing rest of the songs. Each and every number
is a jewel. Listen to them yourself and find out.
Before I end, there is a small quiz; 1. Do you know that Rafi lent his
voice to another famous play back singer Kishore Kumar? Name the film
and the song.
2. Rafi sang one and only song for Raj kapoor, name the song and the
film. The first person to answer both the questions correctly, has an
open invitation for dinner with me and my family! Wish you all the
best.
}